Capistrano Valley High’s Alex Hussar will be attending the University of Pacific where she will be studying pre-med and playing Division 1 soccer. ISAAC ARJONILLA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Alex Hussar is all about getting to the point.

Whether it's on the soccer field or talking to friends, teammates and coaches, the Capistrano Valley High senior takes a direct line to her goal.

Hussar, who graduated June 11, is ready to tackle the challenges of playing Division 1 soccer and studying pre-med at University of Pacific. The 5-foot-10 striker/attacking midfielder proved she could handle the pressure of a double-team defense and step up to lead the Cougars in their 21-match unbeaten streak this season.

Capistrano Valley girls soccer coach Neil Powell enjoyed watching his team captain and third-year varsity player rise to the occasion. Hussar's natural physical talent matched her uncanny mental strength and as always, her love of the game shined bright her senior year.

"She breathes soccer," Powell said. "Alex does things not all girls can do. She's very creative on the ball and her dribbling skills are superb – she makes things happen."

Hussar scored a team-high 18 goals, including four matches with two or more goals. She also had six assists and provided a much-needed spark after the Cougars dropped a 2-1 decision to Pacifica in the second match of the season.

Capistrano Valley then rode a 21-game winning streak to capture the prestigious Excalibur Tournament title and bring home the Sea View League crown before earning a top seed in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs in February. The Cougars defeated Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) 3-1 in the first round, shut out Northwood 3-0 in the second round, and edged Santa Margarita 4-3 in penalty kicks after a scoreless tie in the quarterfinal match.

This set up a highly anticipated semifinal showdown with South Coast League foe and defending D-1 champion Aliso Niguel. Capistrano Valley, however, let one slip away in a 3-2 loss to the Wolverines to finish 18-2-3 overall. Hussar had three goals and two assists in the team's 3-1 playoff run.

"Three mistakes accumulated to three goals, and they capitalized on our mistakes," said Hussar, of the semifinal loss to Aliso Niguel. "They scored the winning goal in the last five minutes. It was a bad way to start and end the season – those were our only two losses [to Pacifica and Aliso Niguel]. We had nine to 11 players who were top of the line, and we were always on the same page. Our whole team got along on and off the field."

Hussar's candid personality is also refreshing on the pitch.

"Alex is very dry; she'll tell you like it is," Powell said. "She does not sugar coat things. She's real with people."

She doesn't hold back when it comes to soccer.

"I want to micro-manage on the field; I don't shut up," said Hussar, who chose soccer over baseball at age 7. "Some people call it brutal honesty, and it can make you cry. If something's not working, then you have to fix it. The worst feeling is if you're not playing and you don't know why – you need to know what you're doing wrong so you can fix it."

Powell didn't have to fix much about Hussar's game, especially since she took control as a leader. She helped him run a freshman soccer camp right after her graduation which shows her dedication to the game.

"We get along very well and laugh and joke, but once we go through the tactical side, she doesn't need motivation," Powell said. "Alex doesn't need me to pump her up – off she goes to play her game."

Hussar was on top of her game and was very consistent in every match, he said. She earned team and Sea View League MVP honors and was named Female Athlete of the Year at Capistrano Valley. She was selected as the OC Register's Player of the Year for girls soccer for 2012-13 and was honored at a banquet, where former Mater Dei and USC quarterback Matt Leinart presented the awards to the high school athletes June 12 at Dave and Buster's in Irvine.

Hussar had some solid offers to play soccer at other colleges but chose UOP because of its prestigious medical school. Plus, not many D-1 programs will let a freshman enroll in pre-med studies and play a sport at the same time, but UOP accommodated her wishes, she said.

Hussar hasn't decided on a specific field of medicine yet, but she's leaning to becoming a military doctor. She's researching what degree will best fit the military branches.

"I want the best possible pay for what job I do – being a doctor on planes interests me," she said. "The Air Force and Navy pay well and have the best benefits. Soccer pays for undergraduate school, and I can go into the military and get graduate school paid for."

Of course she has an underlying plan for all her hard work. Hussar's love of high-performance and vintage cars is something that motivates her as much as the sport of soccer. She sold her jeep and now drives a silver 2012 Mustang with racing tires and a special exhaust system.

"I love old or new cars," she said. "My dream car is a Nissan GT-R sports car or I'd take a1969 Mustang. They would both make me happy. I'll pick my career on the basis of what car I could own."

Hussar gets right to the point – in zero to 60 mph in record time, no less.

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